METHOD FOR KEEPING FREE OF ICE OR THAWING AT LEAST ONE SURFACE WHICH IS AT RISK OF ICING OF A TANK INTERFACE AND A TANK INTERFACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for keeping free of ice or thawing at least one surface (1) which is at risk of icing of a tank interface (2), wherein the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is formed on a refueling nozzle (3) and/or on a tank filler neck (4) of a vehicle which can be operated with hydrogen. According to the invention, the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is heated during a refueling operation and/or after a refueling operation.

The invention further relates to a tank interface (2) and to a vehicle, which can be operated with hydrogen, having a tank interface (2) according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for keeping free of ice or thawing at least one surface (1) at risk of icing of a tank interface (2), wherein the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is formed on a refueling nozzle (3) and/or on a tank filler neck (4) of a vehicle configured to be operated with hydrogen, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is heated during a refueling operation and/or after a refueling operation.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is heated with the aid of a heating cartridge or a heating ring.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is inductively heated.

4. A tank interface (2) comprising at least one surface (1) at risk of icing which is formed on a refueling nozzle (3) and/or on a tank filler neck (4) of a vehicle configured to be operated with hydrogen, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is configured to be heated by a heating device and/or is configured in such a way that water is removed, absorbed or adsorbed in a targeted manner.

5. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing comprises a hydrophobic coating.

6. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing comprises a nanocoating.

7. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing comprises a zeolite layer that adsorbs water in an exothermic reaction.

8. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is formed on a front and/or an outer peripheral side of the tank filler neck (4).

9. The tanker interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is formed on a front and/or an inner peripheral side of the refueling nozzle (3).

10. A vehicle configured to be operated with hydrogen, the vehicle comprising a tank interface (2) according to claim 4.

11. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is inductively heated.

12. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

13. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is configured to be heated by a heating device.

14. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, further comprising a device (10) for heating the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing.

15. The tank interface (2) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one surface (1) at risk of icing is configured in such a way that water is removed, absorbed or adsorbed in a targeted manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

[0029] FIG. 1 a schematic plan view onto a tank filler neck of a tank interface according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 a perspective view of the tank filler neck of FIG. 1 and

[0031] FIG. 3 a perspective view of a refueling nozzle of a tank interface according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a tank filler neck 4 of a vehicle which can be operated with hydrogen (not shown). In the present case, the tank filler neck 4 is configured in the form of a hollow cylinder. It comprises a flat front side 5 with a seal 8 and an outer peripheral surface 6. At least the outer peripheral surface 6 comes into contact with a refueling nozzle 3 during a refueling operation. Such a refueling nozzle 3 is shown as an example in FIG. 3.

[0033] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the refueling nozzle 3 comprises a type of trunk which, however, is not inserted into but rather onto the tank filler neck 4 of the vehicle to refuel a vehicle which can be operated with hydrogen, so that hydrogen can flow via the refueling nozzle 3 and the tank filler neck 4 into a tank (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0034] When the refueling nozzle 3 is attached, an inner peripheral surface 7 of the refueling nozzle 3 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 6 of the tank filler neck 4. The contact surfaces form respective surfaces 1 at risk of icing, because they cool considerably when the vehicle is refueled with hydrogen. This is because the temperature of the hydrogen is about −40° C. If condensation then forms on the cooled surfaces, it can freeze. This can cause the refueling nozzle 3 to freeze to the tank filler neck 4.

[0035] Even after a refueling operation, condensation can form on the cold surfaces, in particular if the surrounding air is warm and humid. If a new refueling process follows shortly thereafter, the refueling nozzle 3 can freeze to the tank filler neck 4 of the other vehicle.

[0036] According to the method according to the invention, the at least one surface 1 which is at risk of icing of a tank interface 2 is therefore heated. Heating can prevent excessive cooling of the surface, so that no condensation forms on said surface or at least does not freeze.

[0037] A tank interface 2 according to the invention therefore comprises a heating device (10, shown schematically) for carrying out the method according to the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one surface 1 at risk of icing can have a property that removes, absorbs or adsorbs water. Water can be absorbed via capillaries in the surface 1, for example, and thus removed from the risk area. A coating (not shown) can also be applied to the surface 1, which preferably has a hydrophobic effect, so that water simply rolls off the surface 1. Adsorption of water can be effected by means of a zeolite layer in the surface 1. Adsorption by means of a zeolite layer has the advantage that this process is exothermic, i.e., releases heat, which in turn can be used to heat the surface.